Mark 1-8:26

Word Biblical Commentary #34A

by Robert A. Guelich

The Word Biblical Commentary delivers the best in biblical scholarship, from the leading scholars of our day who share a commitment to Scripture as divine revelation. This series emphasizes a thorough analysis of textual, linguistic, structural, and theological evidence. The result is judicious and balanced insight into the meanings of the text in the framework of biblical theology. These widely acclaimed commentaries serve as exceptional resources for the professional theologian and instructor, the seminary or university student, the working minister, and everyone concerned with building theological understanding from a solid base of biblical scholarship.

Genres: Reference, Biblical Studies, Christian, New Testament

454 pages, Hardcover

First published April 25, 1989

Reviews

[Joshua · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this book contains a lot of useful material in it, I found it lacking as well. First of all, the level of technical analysis with the Greek is not terribly useful if you are not fortunate enough to have a good handle on the language. Secondly, I found that much of the arguments over what is "redactional vs. original" was tedious and largely unprovable. I think that the traditions were written as they are fairly early, and don't think that there is much to be said for "Q source" as if it has a solid basis in fact. Lastly, there were places of insight where the commentator applied meaningful analysis that can be taken to one's life, but by large there were large spots of dry and painstaking reading. I can't say that I would not recommend it, but I can't say I would not enthusiastically recommend it. It is nothing like Beasley's commentary on John from the same series, I disagreed a lot with Beasley, but I appreciated him because he kept it interesting. This book one; not as much.

[Derek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent Commentary. Guelich spends a lot of time and energy on form criticism. If you are not into that, you should stay away from this commentary. Guelich uses a lot of German research materials for his information.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The in-text citation makes it unnecessarily difficult to work through, but its a good commentary despite that.